Miami-Dade Mayor: More Cuts To County Libraries

Books provided for detainees are seen in the library at the US Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on August 8, 2013. AFP PHOTO/CHANTAL VALERY (Photo credit should read CHANTAL VALERY/AFP/Getty Images)(CHANTAL VALERY/AFP/Getty Images)

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez wants to slash more from local library budgets.

The county’s beleaguered library system has already lost more than a quarter of its budget in recent years. But the Mayor on Friday said more needs to be done.

Thousands of youth and adults rely on the libraries for research, job applications and as an after school refuge — especially in low-income neighborhoods where safe after school recreation spaces are limited.

Gimenez says the library system isn’t efficient enough.

The department faces a $20 million shortfall next year largely due to the county’s decision to lower a special library tax rate.

It’s reserves could run out this year.

The reductions have meant libraries are closed Sundays and some weekdays. Tutoring and other services have also been cut.